Tyrone great Peter Canavan is hoping and praying his Errigal Ciaran club-mates can seize the moment and claim their first-ever All-Ireland title against Cuala at Croke Park on Sunday.
On a cool, dark night in Dunmoyle, the Tyrone and Ulster champions invited the media to their clubrooms, with Canavan warning that these kinds of days may never visit Errigal again.
As a player, Canavan twice experienced All-Ireland Club semi-final defeat – both times to Cork kingpins Nemo Rangers – and hopes Errigal and his two sons, Darragh and Ruairí, can go one step further than he did.
“We know this doesn’t happen every year and it may not happen again so we just hope the boys can do themselves justice,” said Canavan.
Each championship game has been an emotional rollercoaster for Enda McGinley’s crew – from the early rounds of their own county championship to an incredible run through Ulster and an epic All-Ireland semi-final win over Dr Croke’s in Newbridge last weekend.
Darragh and Ruairí Canavan have been majestic all the way through the championship for Errigal and are now knocking on history’s door.
“Watching Darragh and Ruairí is very similar to playing the game,” Canavan said.
“You’re thinking about the game days before it, you’re very nervous, and very nervous as a parent.
“The only thing is, as a player, once you get the first run over you or the first belt, the tension eases out of you, you’re just consumed by the game, and there’s no stress in you.
“Unfortunately, I’m still trying to figure out what to do when you’re sitting watching the game!
“There’d be something wrong with you if you weren’t stressed about it, but it’s been brilliant.
“So many parents would love to be in this position and watching their children play in an All-Ireland final, so we’re blessed in that regard and blessed that we have our own club competing in an All-Ireland final.”